Apps for Resilience, Mindfulness, Mental Health

Using an App to boost resilience, reduce stress or improve mental health

Have you tried out any apps for improving your own resilience, quality of sleep or working on aspects of your mental health? We would love to hear from you if you have any apps you have personally used and think are worthwhile adding to this list.

Benefits of using Apps for Forming New Habits

Many of us carry our phone with us most of the time and so have easy access to the app

Apps can push reminders to us so that we keep up regular practice

Many apps still work when they are offline or at least have an offline mode.

Apps often work faster than websites

A phone can be discreetly used during time which some of us might see as wasted – on the train, bus, waiting in a queue etc

Phone apps can make use of other facilities on the phone like GPS (a running/walking app) camera (taking photos of things that make you feel good)…. etc

Recommended Apps : We will add good quality apps to this list – please let us know your recommendations…

This well publicised Mindfulness app was created by Andy Puddicombe a former buddhist monk. Described as a “gym membership for your mind” it features meditation and mindfulness techniques to help manage stress and anxiety, improve well-being, and become happier overall.

The series of guided meditations is designed to train your brain in just 10 minutes a day, users can opt to track and reward progress. There is also a buddy system to maintain motivation and help others do the same.

Available on iOS and Android

Daily reminders to take time to relax

Free access to 10 days of 10 minute unique guided meditations, after that you have to subscribe

Buddhify is designed to help you relax/meditate while you are moving. There is a circular chart which you choose your activity from including “Being online”, “Eating” and “Walking in the City”. There is a helpful Q & A section called “Together” which explains queries you may have about meditation.

This app starts of with an explanation of what mindfulness is. You can then enter your age group to get tailored mindfulness sessions. Created in Australia, the not-for-profit organisation who created this app are working to make mindfulness accessible to all. Includes a section on ‘Mindfulness in the Workplace’

Visual and soothing sounds while listening to a guided meditation. The free 7 days includes a first session on “Concentration” which lasts for 9 minutes and explains the benefits of mindfulness and how to practice. Free version also includes a helpful visual timer to help you get a good rhythm for relaxed breathing.

Daily challenges to improve your mindfulness skills. For those who have realised they are on ‘autopilot’ most of the time and wish to improve their ability to be more present. One disadvantage is that it only lets you log in through Facebook however if you don’t mind this it is worth a try.

This app offers a range of self-help methods for people who want to learn to manage their anxiety.

SAM has been developed by a university team of psychologists, computer scientists and student users. Established methods of self-help have been combined with high standards of usability to provide an engaging, flexible, and practical resource.

The content of SAM is presented in various media formats in order to support users in learning about anxiety and practicing self-help. Users will get the most out of this app if they study the guidance first. Users are encouraged to build their own Anxiety Toolkit of SAM resources that they find helpful and to draw on this for regular practice in managing situations that are associated with anxiety.

Available on iOS and Android

Holistic approach – not just relaxation sessions

Lessons in relaxations, guidance on anxiety treatment , thinking and anxiety, opportunities to become part of their closed social network

This app has a 25-minute guided meditation that combines soothing music with talking you through the relaxation process. The calming female voice works quickly! This meditation session, like most others has more impact the more you practice.

Available on iOS and Android

Written and read by Shazzie Love.

Gentle guidance to relax the whole body and mind.

You can also set a wake-up alarm through the built-in alarm clock before launching the session.

Made specifically for people suffering from panic disorders, Stop Panic & Anxiety Self Help has several features for those regularly experiencing panic and anxiety attacks. The app uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approaches to help users reframe their negative thought patterns which may contribute to their anxiety. It also features relaxation audios, an anxiety diary, and emotional training tools.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) involves learning more about how you think and how your thoughts affect your emotions. If you have anxiety, it can mean the difference between having a panic attack and tackling your fear and worry head on. This app trains anxiety, depression and anger sufferers how to identify negative thoughts.

Starts with a simple presentation to reinforce the message that ‘You are not alone”

The paid for version is also a gratitude journal app which gets users in to the habit of writing down the things they appreciate in life. Users can also add photos giving them a wall of positive photographic memories for the month.